Location: United Kingdom - Manchester

Employment Type: Salaried

Team: Human Resources

Company Overview

Fanatics is building a leading global digital sports platform to ignite and harness the passions of fans and maximize the presence and reach for hundreds of partners globally. Optimizing these long-standing partnerships, a database of more than 80 million global consumers and a trusted, recognizable brand name, Fanatics is expanding beyond its position as a global leader for licensed sports merchandise to now becoming a next-gen digital sports platform, featuring an array of offerings for fans across the sports ecosystem.

The Fanatics family of companies currently includes Fanatics Commerce, a vertically-integrated licensed merchandise business that has changed the way fans purchase their favorite team apparel, jerseys, headwear and hardgoods through a tech-infused approach to making and quickly distributing fan gear in today’s 24/7 mobile-first economy; Candy Digital, a digital collectibles company that is partnering with prominent sports properties, including MLB and MLBPA, to build an official NFT ecosystem; Fanatics Collectibles, through Topps as a cornerstone of the business, building a new model for the collectibles and trading cards hobby with top leagues and players association partners; and Fanatics Betting & Gaming, a mobile betting, gaming and retail sportsbook platform. Fanatics’ partners include all major professional sports leagues (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, MLS, PGA) and hundreds of collegiate and professional teams, which include several of the biggest global soccer clubs.

As a market leader with more than 9,000 employees, and hundreds of partners, suppliers, and vendors worldwide, we take responsibility for driving toward more ethical and sustainable practices. We are committed to building an inclusive Fanatics community, reflecting and representing society at every level of the business, including our employees, vendors, partners and fans. Fanatics is also dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities where we all live, work, and play through strategic philanthropic initiatives.

At Fanatics, we’re a diverse, passionate group of employees aiming to ignite pride and passion in the fans we outfit, celebrate and support. We recognize that diversity helps drive and foster innovation, and through our IDEA program (inclusion, diversity, equality and advocacy) at Fanatics we provide employees with tools and resources to feel connected and engaged in who they are and what they do to support the ultimate fan experience.

Purpose and Scope

Fanatics is seeking a passionate, detail-oriented, creative communications professional and sports fan to join its Global Communications team as Communications Manager working on its International business. This position, based in Manchester, UK, will provide communications support to a range of departments across Fanatics with a focus on those working within the European markets.

The team is seeking a high judgement communications professional who is as comfortable writing press releases and internal copy as they are forming strong working relationships with colleagues, journalists and partners. The purpose of the role is to help strengthen Fanatics’ position as one of the world’s most innovative, tech-infused consumer brands transforming the sports industry through best-in-class communications support.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with colleagues from across the international business, provide support for internal and external communications requirements by leveraging best practices, providing editorial support and input on key concepts.
• Assist in drafting press releases, factsheets, briefing materials and other communications materials as needed.
• Assist with monitoring, tracking and analyzing press coverage across regions (traditional and social).
• Assist with internal communications initiatives for the international business and special local events such as local Town Hall’s or local Employee briefings.
• Assist in identifying thought leadership opportunities for Fanatics within Europe and preparing relevant content including briefings, submissions, (awards, speaking opportunities, etc.).
• Help to compile, evaluate and pitch research data and trend stories around both sports team apparel and the evolving real-time purchasing habits of sports fans to relevant media outlets.
• Act as point of contact for internal communications activity for the international business, working closely with HR Business Partners in markets across the world (primarily Europe) to assist with their internal communications needs.
• Work with range of departments to develop internationally focused content for the company’s intranet, Starting Lineup, helping to devise and then help deliver unique content that helps drive traffic to the site.
• Where required provide external communications support for Fanatics’ Offices across the world, working alongside local agencies to create copy and stories that will generate coverage in the local market.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Undergraduate degree preferred although not essential
• Minimum three years of experience in media/public relations; internal communications role; Tech or Sports background desirable
• Exceptional written and spoken communications skills
• Ability to establish trusting relationships, navigate organizational complexities and form relationships internally and externally
• Outstanding organizational and multi-tasking capabilities with exemplary attention to detail
• Strong judgement and the ability to respond quickly to urgent matters
• Collaborative team spirit with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment
• Ability to think independently and make clear and well-reasoned decisions
• Experience in basic video/photo editing desirable

Benefits:

This a great opportunity to join our fast-paced, dynamic and entrepreneurial business, and these are some of the benefits you can expect as an employee.

• The chance to work with world leading sports clubs and brands

• Working within a growing, fast paced and forward-thinking business

• On-site free bar and pool table

• Birthday day off

• 40% staff discount

• Nationwide Theme Park discounts

• Bike to work scheme

We are an equal opportunity employer and celebrate diversity and inclusivity at Fanatics. Our commitment to inclusion drives us forward every day; across all races, gender, gender identities, age, sexual orientation, religion & spiritual beliefs, neurodiversity, disability and all identities of our people both current and future. If you have any requirement(s) for reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, and/or to perform essential job functions, please contact us.

Tryouts are open at Fanatics! Our team is passionate, talented, unified, and charged with creating the fan experience of tomorrow. The ball is in your court now.

_Ensure your Fanatics job offer is legitimate and don’t fall victim to fraud. Fanatics never seeks payment from job applicants. Fanatics recruiters will only reach out to applicants from an @fanatics.com or @fanatics.co.uk email address. For added security, where possible, apply through our company website at _www.fanaticsinc.com/careers

Fanatics is committed to responsible planning and purchasing (RPP) practices, working with its business partners across its global and multi-layered supply chain, to ensure that planning, sourcing, and purchasing decisions, along with other supporting processes, do not impede or conflict with the fulfillment of Fanatics’ fair labor practices.